ADJUSTING TO LIFE IN LOCKDOWN
REGINA MEEHAN FROM SLIGO A TEACHER IN ITALY, SPEAKS ABOUT THE LOCKDOWN THERE
AS Italy takes extreme measures to slow down the progression of Covid-19 across the country, people are coming to terms with their new way of life.
The country’s current lockdown means that people are discouraged from leaving their homes unless completely necessary.
There is no end in sight, and people in Ireland are looking to Italy to try to get a better understanding of the coronavirus, and what we may have to prepare for in the coming weeks, and possibly months here in the Republic of Ireland.
Regina Meehan, a teacher, is originally from Ballydoogan, Sligo, and has been in Italy for over 30 years.
She is based in Cantu, which is close to Milan and in the region of Lombardy which is one of the worst affected areas of Italy. She, like everyone else in countries like Italy and Spain, has had to adjust to the strict new measures in the country that mean everything has come to a halt.
Regina told The Sligo Champion: “Everybody is at home. It’s now a criminal offence to be outside. Cars are going around with microphones telling people to stay indoors. You are only allowed out if you are going shopping or to the chemist or if you have to go to work.”
If an individual does leave their house to go the chemist, they must call into the local police station afterwards with their receipt to prove that they were in fact in the chemist.
“I haven’t been stopped leaving my house yet and I usually go shopping at lunch time because it’s quieter,” Regina added.
Only one person per family is allowed in the supermarket and they must have a trolley with them.
There are also restrictions on the number of people who can be in the supermarket at one time.
Large supermarkets that have capacity for hundreds of people have to restrict the number of customers to around 50 at one time, and they are operating a one in, one out policy to maintain a steady flow of traffic through the shop.
People are asked to keep a distance of one metre from the next person, as Regina explained.
“I know in Ireland you have a two metre distance but here it’s one metre, we call it the droplet law, because if one person sneezes you are far enough away from them.”
The country has come to a standstill in order to prevent the virus from spreading even further.
People are understandably getting cabin fever, and a trip to the supermarket was an outing for some who simply wanted to get out of the house for a few minutes.
But the authorities have even implemented measures to stop people visiting the supermarket numerous times a day, although it’s not entirely clear how that is monitored.
“It’s just absolutely dead here. Nothing is opened. Even at the chemist there are queues and there is tape on the ground to show where to stand,” Regina explaned.
She added: “It’s just crazy. One person per family is allowed at the supermarket and they’re only allowed three times a week.
“That’s because people couldn’t leave their houses so they were going to the supermarket 2/3 times a day for something to do.”
Regina has a dog, and dogs need to be walked so that does get her out of the house, and she is yet to be stopped for walking her dog.
“I’m lucky because I have a dog and it’s an excuse to go out. The authorities are coming down really hard on people leaving their houses. You can get fined or sent to prison for it. One lady was interviewed on television and asked why she left her house and she said she just needed to because her house is very small and she wanted to get moving. Nobody has stopped me so far and the police have driven by me” she added.
“Another new restriction is that those who have a dog are allowed to take them no further than 200 metres from their home.”
Regina teaches primary and middle school students, and also takes adult classes with the British Institutes.
The lockdown has thrown the school year into chaos, and similar to here in the Republic of Ireland, it is unclear when they will re-open.
Teachers have to do what they can to ensure that students are still getting some kind of education whilst this continues, but it’s not easy.
“It’s really difficult. I’m trying to film all my lessons and that takes a long time to do. It’s ok with the adult classes because that’s all online. I’ve never really done all this on a computer.
“I’m just after hearing that a Granny of one of my first class students has died from the virus and the whole family are in quarantine.”
Regina is keen to give a clear picture of the full extent of the shut down in Italy, as it impacts absolutely everyone and Ireland is edging closer to following suit.
“All public offices here are closed, even the post offices because two people working there have died. Every place is closed. Schools and universities are due to open on April 6 th, Easter break is April 9 th until April 15 th so it’s likely this might go on until after Easter.
“Some people are saying that school is finished for the year, but that’s only a rumour. They’re saying as well that our version of the Leaving Cert might be sat in August.
“The graveyards are closed. At funerals, the priest says the blessing only and only family are allowed go so there’s only five or six people at a funeral. Weddings have all been postponed. Routine procedures in hospitals have been cancelled.”
For Regina, taking herself away from all the bad news is important. She has taken to watching Netflix to keep her entertained throughout the day, but there is also plenty of work to be done during the day.
“It’s like Ireland over here because everything is about the virus, I watch one news broadcast everyday because I would be depressed if I watched anymore. I watch some Netflix then.
“And I actually have loads of work to do so that will keep me busy. My day goes by.”
The Italian Government are currently undertaking measures to ensure that people are protected as well as possible in order to keep their homes, as Regina explains.
“I have three children and one is a
manager in a sports shop and they were told the shop would close but they would still be working.
“So he went into work and found everything closed. They have to get holiday leave and then they get an allowance after that.
“The Government here have introduced rent allowances and mortgage freezes. Babysitters will get an allowance because people are now at home and don’t need babysitters. People working in supermarkets will get an allowance of €100 in their wages at the end of the month, it’s not much but it’s something. The same goes for doctors.”
There is no mad rush to the supermarkets, however, and people are not stock-piling like they are here in Ireland, despite supermarkets urging the public not to.
This virus is being taken extremely seriously be everyone in Italy, and Regina says people here should be doing the same. If people see you on the street they cross the road because they want to keep a distance.
“Police cars are going around to make sure people aren’t out. My daughter knows someone who went out jogging and was fined.”
The weather is ‘ beautiful’ in Italy at the minute, says Regina which gives them hope.
She is in contact with her family here in Ireland every day, and says that she hopes she can help people because she has been through it all in Italy so far.